Welcome back to What’s Cooking, Metro’s food series, taking a peek inside the nation’s kitchens.
This week, we’re at home with a man who has one of the most instantly recognisable voices in the UK.
Radio DJ Nick Grimshaw has been waking up the nation for years, first on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, but more recently on Radio 6.
These days, when the 41-year-old isn’t on the airwaves, he’s busy co-hosting Waitrose’s Dish podcast with chef Angela Hartnett, grilling everyone from Cynthia Erivo to Stanley Tucci on their favourite crisp flavours and the best way to eat an egg.
We’ve turned the tables on Nick to find out all his foodie secrets – everything from the weirdest thing he likes to snack on, to the dish that reminds him most of his childhood.
And if you’ve ever wondered what a breakfast show host eats for breakfast, we’ve got the answer…
First, tell us a secret… what’s the most unhinged thing you like to eat?
Richard E. Grant was on Dish, and he said he loves Christmas pudding and cheese in a sandwich. Initially, you’re like ewww, but we made it with a chunk of strong cheddar cheese and, actually, it’s delicious.
It really works, because essentially you’re just eating cheese and fruit, but the ante has been upped.
What food instantly transports you back to your childhood?
My mum always makes tater ash (potato hash), which I hated as a kid, but I love now.
It’s like a yummy casserole with meat, potatoes, and vegetables cooked in gravy, and she’d make a pie crust that you’d have on the side and some braised red cabbage, too.
Chippys also remind me of my childhood. I order chips and curry sauce, and I always crave that when I get home after a trip. Mesh, my boyfriend, finds it weird how much I enjoy it, as he thinks it’s a really depressing meal.
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Name one item that’s always in your fridge…
A large pot of anchovies is essential for me.
Right now, I’ve got a pot of fresh, marinated anchovy fillets in there that’s bigger than my face.
And your store cupboard must-have?
A really horrible bar of bitter, dark chocolate. I want something that’s about 80% cocoa, and is basically knocking on cooking chocolate’s door.
What about in the freezer?
My freezer doesn’t really have anything in it apart from martini glasses.
I would put ice cream in there, but I demolish an entire pint in one sitting.
There’s an Argentinian place not far from me called Tano, and they make a vanilla gelato that’s incredible. They’ve started offering home delivery recently, so I don’t even need to leave the house to enjoy it. It’s dangerous.
Ottolenghi has also done a range of ice creams for Waitrose, and the Madagascan vanilla one with miso salted caramel is crazy good.
What does a breakfast show host eat for breakfast?
My dream breakfast is a bowl of cereal with yoghurt and fruit, but I found out last year that I can’t eat gluten, which has kind of ruined cereal for me. It’s devastating.
At the moment, I’m having eggs every day instead. This morning I had an omelette with chicken and a tomato salad. I know chicken for breakfast is weird, but I’m trying to get more protein.
I’ve also recently started taking this herbal prescription in the morning to help with gut health and adrenal stress, and it’s really disgusting. I take the prescription first thing, then have breakfast, and after that I’ll have a coffee – either a double espresso or a double macchiato.
I hear you’re a bit of a snack addict… what are your top-tier snacks?
I’m quite snack-dependent. I feel like my blood sugar can really plummet, and I end up thinking I’ve got something drastically wrong with me, or I’m having some sort of episode, but it’s actually just that I’ve not had enough snacks.
I love dates, dark chocolate, and peanut butter, and I’m a huge fan of crisps.
My favourites are ready salted or salt & vinegar, but I also enjoy the Torres truffle crisps – I don’t really like truffle, but the flavour of these reminds me a bit of Space Raiders, which are a sensational crisp.
What can you never resist splurging on at the supermarket?
I’ll always buy branded classics like Coke, Diet Coke, HP Sauce and Heinz beans, because I think those brands are the best at what they do.
Are there any supermarket own-brand items you do buy?
I get loads of own-brand stuff, my cupboards are full of Waitrose spices and rice.
Do you have any dinner time traditions?
My family always had dinner together; that was the norm. So, I’ve got lots of good memories of being around the table and chatting.
I remember going to uni, and everyone was having tea on their knee and watching the telly, and I’d genuinely never done that before.
I’m less strict about that sort of thing now – the only rule I have is that I hate people being on their phones at dinner.
I recently partnered with Uber Eats and Mowgli to make conversation cards people could use to inject some life back into dinner table conversations. I firmly believe the best meals happen when people are fully present.
And finally… what’s been cooking lately?
Because of my job, I need to be in bed by 10 pm, so I’ve been trying to cook dinner earlier. I’m eating by like 6:30 pm, which makes me feel like a 90-year-old.
My go-to after a busy day is a jacket potato with lots of butter, salt, grated cheese and baked beans. It’s a classic and never fails to be delicious.
Want to take part in What’s Cooking and let Metro raid your kitchen at home? Email courtney.pochin@metro.co.uk
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